Samsung Q45 (12.1" widescreen)

I believe it is, but I may be confused with another laptop.

 

I'm 99.9% sure that the Q45 will support SDHC. When I was looking at the Q70 I found that supports SDHC so I would expect the Q45 to do so. It's the same hardware in a bigger body. (In fact, I found the Q35 also supports SDHC under Vista, but not XP, so it must be a driver issue for the Ricoh reader). My Zepto has a TI chip and can't handle SDHC.

You need to find a Class 6 SDHC to out-run this 2GD SD card. However, these are more expensive.

The 2GB SD may be a good starting place and I think 4GB doesn't give much additional benefit. ReadyBoost scores through spped of access to small amounts of data. It is much slower than the HDD for transferring big files.

John

 

You mean £45-£70 premium (depending on seller), compared to Q45A002 (not to the low-spec Q45T000). It may be worth it if fingerprints are less obvious on the red lid

 

I don't know about that, Q45A002 still retailing for above £740......
Anyway, the point is still that there is a large premium for the red colour and a potentially inferior hard-drive performance (though lower power use?).
I would have paid a £70 premium for red (initially, though I have come to like the black now) but not £130 and a slower hard drive.

Just off-topic a bit, I am continually surprised by how large the footprint of these 12" notebooks are... I expected it to be smaller. Of course, compared to the 15.4" they look like tiddlers. Nevertheless, I think my next model will be 10-11".

 

Thanks
Just ordered the 2gb one of the site you mentioned

 

Hi, I've just bought a Q45 and I'm v. impressed with it so far! However I want to have a play with the toggle Bluetooth on/off thing, however I keep getting an error saying the zip file is corrupted everytime I download it!

Can someone attach/link it in again please?

 

Here it is again.

Vista may be blocking it from running. You may need to run it as administrator.

John

 

When I was looking at the Q45 (and other notebooks) on Totenham Cour road the other day I had a look at the 11.1" and 10.6" (i think) notebooks and they were indeed tiny. I found that the keyboard was really too small for my comfortable use, and the ones I tried were excedingly warm (I don't know if that is because of them being run constantly with lights shining on them, but they it was excedingly hot to the touch).

It would be nice to have a smaller footprint, but you get an inferior spec for an inflated price.

Back on-topic: the Q45 is just the right size for me, although I prefer the look of the red Q35 (with silver instead of black), style isn't that much of an issue though. Just got to save up for the Q45 now...

 

Thanks John.

I just tried again, but I'm still getting the strange error. Even if I run explorer as Administrator. This is the error I get when I try and open the zip file:

 

I think you have got a firewall or other Vista equivalent of the nanny state which is blocking you from unzipping an executable file in case it is malicious.

Let's try another route: Download the attached two text files. However, you then need to change the .doc to .exe for each one. See if your nanny will let you do that.

John

 

Thanks John,

That did the trick.

 

Enjoy. :smile:

John

 

Notebookcheck has got a review of the Q45 (with 8400M GS? graphics and the slow 200GB HDD).

It starts by complaining about the glossy surface.... The PCMark05 results is low. I suspect the HDD is to blame. The 3DMark 05 and 06 results are almost iidentical to those I measured when reviewing the Q70 so I wonder whether that 8400M GS is actually the 8400M G. I'm surprised by the reported battery life which is similar the the Q45 with the X3100.

John

 

There are some other things wrong with that "review" - the T7100 doesn't have 4MB L2 Cache, only 2MB,
hovering over the 2nd and 3rd images shows up "Lenovo thinkpad X61...", and
it either has an express card, or a PCMCIA slot - not both.

I'd like that model to be true, apart from the price.

 

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/laptops-lithium-ion-batteries,review-25349.html

This thread compares vista and xp battery life and xp wallaps it by over 30minutes!

I have said previous I didn't want the hassle of installing XP to dual boot, but if those results scaled up........it could buy a LOT more battery life on the Q45...

I thought the methodology in the article was poor, incidentally!

 

I am confused by this and Lukealexander's earlier comment about the 200GB HDD. The above link shows "200GB 5400rpm Toshiba". How did you work out it is a slower HDD? More importantly, will it make a huge difference, if it is slower?

 

That article is really badly put together, notes to the editor, parts left in french, links not found.
I'd not want my name to be associated with it if I'd written it and left it like that.

 

I didn't look at the HDD speed stated in the review. I just looked at the test results.

A 5400rpm 160GB HDD has a peak transfer rate of around 50MB/s. The burst rate (a measure of the interface performance) is also low. And, by the way, Toshiba think that HDD is 4200rpm.

As already noted, that review is riddled with inconsistencies and needs to be read carefully, but it also contains some useful data.

John

 

Hi John,

Thank you so much for all your advice. I have spoken to the technical support. They won't provide me with a full installation CD and as they also reckon that it's a hardware problem, they have now offered to change to my laptop.

However, I would like to try to save my data before I hand over my laptop. Thanks again for the links re: enclosure. I googled the procedure and came across different information, problems etc..

Would you mind explaining me all the steps involved as well as all equipment needed? It seems that I would also need a flash key (the size of my data is at least 30GB) so not sure how this works and would need to connect the enclosure to another PC?

How can I make sure that I am only copying data/software that I need?

Apologies for my silly questions but I am not an IT professional!
Thanks for all your help.

Louisa

 

I agree, Tom's has really gone downhill the past months (years?) but the data gathered is at least a decent guide.

 

That's one way to fix the problem, once we sort out the data transfer problem.

Do you know which folders your data are in? Did you create your own folders or let the programs choose for you? In which case they are probably in the documents and settings folder.

I'm not an IT professional either. Just an amateur who has been using these devices for many years.

If your data are 30GB then you would either need another external HDD (needed for your backups anyway) or access to a DVD burner. 30GB is a lot of flash keys (there's a selection of 4GB ones here for £17.99 + postage).

Thinking this through, I can see two options. Both assume that the HDD is readable and will not cause errors which stop the copying process.

(a) Remove the HDD, put it in an external USB enclosure, plug it into another computer and copy the files / folders in explorer to either the host computer or another HDD. The drawback of this process is that you need to remove the existing HDD from the Q45, which I would describe as an intermediate level exercise. More detailed instructions can be provided if needed.

(b) Use suitable software to boot the computer and make a complete copy of the existing HDD onto an external HDD. The best software for this purpose is HDD cloning software such as Acronis True Image or MigrateEasy or Casper XP. The possible drawback of this approach is that the copying fails if the HDD is corrupted.

I see that you can download a 15 day trial of Acronis MigrateEasy. If you get this, install MigrateEasy on another computer so you can create a bootable CD which you can run (I've just checked on my Zepto that it will work with the Intel 965 chipset) to make a full copy of your hard disk onto an external HDD provided it is at least as big as the internal hard disk (160GB). This could either be an external 3.5" HDD such as this or a 2.5" HDD either your own choice or in a ready made enclosure. I would suggest selecting your own HDD here's a selection) or another selection plus an external enclosure. If looks aren't critical then this Newlink enclosure is good value because it handles both types of 2.5" HDD connector. However, I would recommend you get a SATA HDD because it is more future-proof and an enclosure with SATA connector will mean that you can try option (a) if option (b) doesn't work.

The advantage of creating a complete copy of your HDD is that you can then look for your files later.

I didn't go into the details of Casper XP, but it is another option for copying the HDD. However, it costs money. One advantage is that it can be used to maintain a complete copy of your HDD in the future, in case anything goes wrong again.

John

 

Hi John,

Thank you very much for your great help. I am looking at the different products that you recommended.

Btw, there was a review of the Q45 in the computer shopper's latest (October 2007) edition. It's also on their website (no direct link to the review): http://www.computershopper.co.uk/

The battery life testing result seems to be more realistic (far from the 6 hours as advertised)...what I would usually get with mine (that is before it crashed!).

Louisa

 

I have been able to get 6hours without wireless on my Q45 doing basic tasks, and around 5-5.15hrs (though my current projections suggest I could reach 5hrs 30mins) with wireless on.

 

Luke is the expert on Q45 battery life. I'm sure you have read his review and you should also read this thread. Samsung's claims on battery life are for the most favourable conditions such as the display on minimum brightness, no wireless, no internet, probably no use (but the computer on). I managed to get my Q35 to 5 hours while Samsung claimed 6.5 or 7 hours and you will get some further insight into power issues in my Q35 review (eg having Bluetooth on caused a significant reduction in battery life because it kept the CPU awake).

I can't find the Computer Shopper Q45 review but I did find one on the same site which is from Computer Buyer which put the Q45 at 3 minutes under 5 hours (and nearly 4 hours on DVD playback). The Q45 should reach 4 hours easily. A genuine 4 hours represents a likely 5 hours of use with a few breaks. The Q70 disappointed me since I couldn't get it past 3 hours. My current Zepto manages 2.5 (but I am waiting for a BIOS update to fix a known power management problem).

John

 

Direct link to the review here.

 

Hey - new member here...

I'm off to university soon, and looking for a sutiable laptop for around 3 years use - the Samsung Q45 has interested me, although I have a few queries some laptop experts here maybe able to answer:

1) I have seen the 160GB Black Edition and the 200GB Limited Red Edition - which is better - e.g. changes in HDD speed, impacts on battery life? (Quoted Dabs.com prices
- 160GB @ £789.99
- 200GB @ £829.98
I believe the specifications of the laptops are identical otherwise, please advise if this is NOT the case.
2) How is the preinstalled Vista Home Premium?
3) Which main shop in London can I purchase this laptop from? (I can only currently see the laptop online)
4) Do Samsung provide an extended 3 year warranty?
5) Do Samsung provide an extra battery with a higher capacity and how many hours does this provide?

Thanks in advance.

 

There's also another version of the Q45 with 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD and XP Pro. This is also a bit less expensive.

AFAIK the only difference in the red model is the colour and the bigger HDD. However, that 200GB HDD is only 4200rpm so you are actually getting a slower computer. Unless you really want the distinctive colour it is not good value for money.

You can see the black Q45 at Micro Anvika. I recall that John Lewis used to sell them but they are no longer listed on their web site.

Vista Home Premium is OK and has the Vista strengths and weaknesses. It runs fine with the standard 2GB RAM.

You can buy a 2 year warranty extension and register it with Samsung at any time within the first year.

There is no bigger battery option. If you want a second battery, Google for the battery number to find the third party sources (at about half of Samsung's price).

John

 

Hi John - Thanks for your advice regarding the Q45. Looks like i'll be going for the 160GB version - I want the machine to be as fast as possible and i'm not too bothered about having a red top (might be worse as it attracts more attention to the notebook!).

I have found this Q45 at Dabs.com - HERE

Is this a good price? I would much rather purchase from a highstreet store although I dont might going by the online route as this is how I purchased my Acer in April 2006.

Kind Regards.

 

Your choices other than Dabs are DigiUK (who have a free delivery option but no stock at this moment - email to check), SaveonSamsung (this seems to be the lowest current price) and http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Samsung_Q45_Laptop_NP-Q45A002-SUK/version-1.asp (who charge for delivery but have stock).

John

 

Thanks. Looks like i'm probably going to go for Dabs.com due to its popularity/reputation.

I'll update everyone when I put my order in and recieve the Samsung Q45 along with a full photo gallery.

Thanks again.

 

has anybody else had any problems with using SD cards in the reader? I've tried downloading the driver again from samsung, but it seems that SD cards aren't supported- though they should be.

 

I haven't tried the Q45, but I believe the card reader is the same Ricoh device as in the Q35 and Q70 which have worked fine for me. It also supports SDHC under Vista. What are you seeing in Device Manager?

Are you putting the car in correctly? Push the SD card in the slot contact side down until it is almost in.

John

 

I'm pretty sure that I've got it in correctly because the 'found new hardware' dialogue box comes up. However when I try to find a driver, nothing can be found.

I also have an xD card, which worked straight after putting it in.

The SD card that I am working with is a new one, however I've tried it in another device and it works there.

In device manager under 'Disk drives' the SD memory card comes up with a yellow exclamation mark next to it.

clicking on it , I get

A driver (service) for this device has been disabled. An alternate driver may be providing this functionality. (Code 32)

Click 'Check for solutions' to send data about this device to Microsoft and to see if there is a solution available.

i've clicked 'check for solutions' - this is of no help.

Incidently, everything under 'SD host adapters' seems fine.

thanks for your help

Dom

 

In Device Manager, I would right click on the SD controller device and select uninstall. Then reboot and see if Windows finds the right driver.

I'm not certain how the SD driver works because it shows up as a device additional to the basic Ricoh card controller.

John

 

Woo hoo - New video card drivers for Vista from Intel have been released:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/fil...Windows+Vista*&lang=eng&strOSs=163&submit=Go!

I definitely didn't buy this Q45 for gaming but it plays FarCry, Oblivion, Call of Duty 2 etc really quite well. There was a problem with Oblivion in the beta version of these drivers and I haven't checked to see if that has been fixed in this latest release, but I did have a simple work around for it. If anyone is interested just post here and I'll reply with the details.

Cheers

sKooTr

 

does the q45 have the typical whining noise/high pitchin sound of the core2duo-processors?

 

I've not heard any whining from any of the Samsung notebooks I have used, but maybe my ears are too old to be sensitive to that noise.

Can some younger owners also comment?

John

 

To be honest, my Q45 is mostly silent all the time. I'm 23 btw.

 

I can detect a slight SLIGHT whine when the processor is inactive on battery, though it is rare. I am 22.

 

Thanks for this, I have downloaded them and will install later.

 

Just be forewarned that I tried the new Intel Vista graphics driver on my Zepto. I was trying to rerun 3Dmark05 to see if there was any performance improvement. After it crashed the third time I rolled back.

John

 

ok, if theres just a very low noise and not often heard i will try it with the q45-damali (with the gforce8400). the whining was the reasons for returning my dell 1520, it was very loud, eg i heard it in a distance of 2-3 meters. i hope i will have luck.

ps. sorry for my bad english

 

I just noticed that there is also an updated Q45 BIOS version 08ST. However,

So what about the people with the X3100 GPU?

John

 

I upgraded to the new Vista driver, but I haven't run a 3D app yet so I don't know.

 

years ago i bought three ac adaptors for my p10 now i hav a q45 and i don't want to spend another 250 Euros so does anybody know if i can use the ac adapter from a samsung p10 on my samsung q45?

the connectors match, but the output doesn't

samsung p10 ac adapter:
- Input 100-200V / 50/60Hz / 1,5-0,8A
- Output 19V 4,2A

samsung p10 ac adapter:
- Input 100-200V / 50/60Hz / 1,7A
- Output 19V 3,16A

 

Is the second adaptor on your list the Q45's? Then they are both 19V.

If the plug fits and the polarity (centre = +ve) is the same then the P10's PSU will work fine. It is more powerful than the Q45 needs but it will only use the power it wants. I've run my Q35 from the 90W PSU for the X60 plus.

John

 

ah copy paste

yes the second one is the q45 adaptor thx for the information, i'll try it tomorrow

 

Note, kids, that if the device doesn't have specific inbuilt safeguards for not using all the current, that using the incorrect adapter can be dangerous.

 

The Q45 is back on the John Lewis website (don't forget Quidco for an extra 5% discount) with the two year guarantee, and also on Tesco Direct (again use Quidco).

 

I've just bought one from Tesco and I am really pleased with it so far.
The battery life and size are just perfect.
I've just returned from a hoilday abroad and wished that I had purchased this unit before I travelled.

After 10% Staff discount and £34 cashback from Quidco, it cost £685.
I also got Clubcard points worth £29 in Clubcard vouchers.

Umu